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Forest Hills Gardens Corporation
Monthly News & Updates
November, 2024
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Notices of Violations (NOVs)/
Work Stop Orders (WSOs) Issued
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As all Gardens homeowners know only too well, each resident is responsible for maintaining the historic aesthetic that is "The Gardens" for the benefit of all. “The Gardens” standards definitely help the appreciation of our property values! Unfortunately, some homeowners chose to sidestep our necessary architectural guidelines, which everyone is made aware of at closing, and force the Gardens' lawyers to file Notices of Violations (NOVs) in the county recording office to encourage compliance.
While violations may be intentional or
unintentional, and can vary in severity from minor infractions to serious offenses, NOVs are only filed when a homeowner goes against the Gardens' regulations as set forth in Dec 3, outreach to the homeowner to correct the infractions has been taken, and unfortunately, issues are not addressed. The result is the loss of Gardens parking privileges and a violation of record being placed on a homeowner's property until the violation is resolved.
Happily, the majority of our community understands the importance of maintaining the standards that have served the community well for over 100 years, but there have recently been some instances of noncompliance that our Law Committee has needed to address. Stop Work Orders (SWOs) have been issued, and occasionally, the Department of Buildings has been involved when NYC codes are not followed.
No one wants the legal headaches and paperwork involved, so please, before starting any type of construction that would alter or update the exterior of your property in ANY WAY, consult the Gardens office for assistance and assurance of appropriateness with the Gardens' guidelines. Numerous FHGC committee volunteers - your neighbors - are available to help homeowners avoid legal nightmares and unnecessary expenditures correcting missteps.
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Halloween is here! As we potentially receive lots of ghouls and ghosts on our front steps, be sure to exercise caution when opening your door, especially later in the evening.
While Burns Street will remain open throughout the day, we should all express our gratitude for the steadfast presence of the 112th Precinct in our community, whose dedicated service plays a vital role in maintaining our safety during this festive time.
Let us take a moment to acknowledge and appreciate the officers for their commitment to the security and safety of all in the Gardens.
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Sheds, Sheds, Everywhere!
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You may have noticed several buildings in the Gardens hidden by scaffolding equipment. Some of the scaffold and sheds have been raised proactively to address maintenance issues while some are constructed as part of FISP. Since 1998, The Façade Inspections and Safety Program (FISP) formerly known as Local Law 11, requires inspections of façades by Qualified Exterior Wall Inspectors (QEWI) once every 5 years of all buildings within NYC that are 6 stories or higher. The apartments and co-ops within the Gardens are held to the same standard and are required to comply as well.
Property Managers will engage a QEWI who are architects or professional engineers qualified to inspect facades, roof systems, fire escapes, windows, etc… At times, scaffolding is erected, or a man-lift is used for inspectors to perform the required up-close inspections, as the requirements have recently been made stricter as to when binoculars can be used. Upon inspection, a safety status is issued, and buildings are deemed as Safe, Safe With Repair and Maintenance Program (SWARMP) or Unsafe. A report is also submitted to the Department of Buildings.
Since all exterior work requires pre-approval, the Gardens office is contacted and an architectural committee application is prepared and submitted. Permits are required, especially in the case of sidewalk sheds to keep our community members and others safe from debris while issues are addressed.
Did you know….
DOB rules say sheds built after 2013, must be painted hunter green; however, in 2009, The Urban Umbrella company won a city-sponsored design competition to introduce a new style of sidewalk shed and is the only company not held to the green color (they use white!)
Did you also know….
Since you have read this piece, you may now be more aware of the sheds. Get ready to experience frequency illusion!
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Mark your calendars! Author and historian, Nick Hirshon, will be giving a free presentation at the Community House at 3:30 pm on Saturday, November 9th focused on the early days of the Gardens. All are welcome! Come learn how our 100-plus year-old community came to be and why countless historians, architects, urban planners and archivists are drawn to our neighborhood.
The Forest Hills Gardens Foundation, whose mission is the preservation of the cultural and architectural history of The Gardens is sponsoring this event. All residents are invited; light refreshments will be provided. Please rsvp by November 2nd the number of attendees to
ForestHillsGardensFoundation@gmail.com
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Celebrations Association of FHG
Gearing Up for Another Busy December
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Soon our historic lampposts will be adorned with beautiful bows and boughs - thanks to the hard work and dedication of our neighborhood's Celebrations Association, an independent community group that has taken on this task for over 100 years! In fact, this will be their 110th year!
Put Saturday, December 7th on your calendar. All Gardens residents are encouraged to come to the Community House, 15 Borage Place, at 10 am to help assemble these colorful lamppost adornments (206 in total!) which will be placed on every light throughout our neighborhood by the Gardens crew - something to surely help everyone through the darkened days of December!
And there's more! Last year, the Celebrations Association added a new successful endeavor - collecting new, unwrapped toys that were then donated to the American Legion FH Post and to the NYPD Outreach Programs for distribution. The generosity of our neighbors helped bring cheer to children who may otherwise go without during the magical season. Their slogan is "Donate Toys; Share Smiles." Support their efforts and bring your donation to the Community House on December 7th from 10 am to noon.
To learn more about their "Boughs, Bows and Toys" event, click here. Like to help your neighbors with these annual traditions? Email info@celebrationsfhg.org.
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This month's featured FHGC Committee:
Law
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The Law Committee is comprised of various lawyers in the community who provide guidance to the Corporation as it strives to achieve its corporate objectives and interfaces with outside legal counsel regarding legal matters pertaining to the FHGC.
If you are an attorney looking to get involved in our community, please reach out to the FHGC office to apply for a position on the committee for 2025; a variety of legal talent is required to address the wide spectrum of issues affecting our community.
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Litigation Update
from the FHGC Board
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The Forest Hills Gardens Board issued an update on the ongoing concert litigation.
Click here to read it.
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Calling all Six-Loop
Bow Makers!
To adorn all 206 Gardens lampposts with bow-adorned greens/boughs, the Celebrations Association and Gardens volunteers gather each year to assemble six-loop bows from wire-edged ribbon. This year the assembling will take place at the Community House on the evening of Tuesday, December 3rd at 7 pm. Interested in volunteering your bow-making skills? Email Angela Duff at duffac@aol.com. A six-loop bow tutorial video is provided here.
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Music lovers,
did you know of the strong connection our neighborhood has to New York's classical music station, WQXR?
The technical genius and co- founder behind W2XR (later renamed WQXR), was John Vincent Hogan, a lifelong resident of the Gardens. A famed pioneer in the field of radio, fax and television technology, he tinkered with mechanical devices in his Greenway South home until he passed in 1960.
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Station Square Receives Colorful New Additions | |
As the seasons change, so do the plantings in Station Square. As temperatures drop and the days grow shorter, the summer flowers begin to fade. Friends of Station Square (FOSS) arranged for beautiful Chrysanthemums and Kale
to be planted in mid-October; these should provide some color until Thanksgiving with the assistance of the Forest Hills Gardens crew who collaborated with FOSS for plant watering.
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Neighborhood Tree Challenge--can you identify this tree? (answer below) |
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The Spirit of Togetherness: Forest Hills' Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
Sunday, November 24th
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As the leaves turn golden and the air grows crisp, the community of Forest Hills comes together in a beautiful tradition that transcends individual beliefs and practices: the Interfaith Prayer Service. Held on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, this event is a testament to the unity and diversity that thrives within the neighborhood. The open invitation, "All are welcome," truly encapsulates the inclusive nature of the event. It's not just a phrase but a warm embrace extended to all, regardless of their faith or background.
This year, the Interfaith Thanksgiving Service is Sunday, November 24, 2024, 4:00 PM to 5:45 PM, at the Church in the Gardens Community House, 15 Borage Place.
The service is an annual gathering that invites neighbors and friends from various faith backgrounds to join in prayer and reflection, celebrating the common values that bind them together. It's a time to embrace community, faith, and the spirit of gratitude that the Thanksgiving season embodies.
(photo from 2023 gathering)
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Neighborhood Tree Challenge Answer: Red Maple (Acer rubrum)
This tree is one of the best named of all trees, especially since it features something red in each of the seasons—buds in winter, flowers in spring, leafstalks in summer, and brilliant foliage in autumn. This pageant of color, along with the red maple's relatively fast growth and tolerance to a wide range of soils, makes it a widely planted favorite. In fact, it is one of the most common and widespread deciduous trees of eastern and central North America and the U.S. Forest Service recognizes it as the most abundant native tree in eastern North America. The Gardens has a few red maples but this photo is from Greenway North.
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Annual Budget Approved, Maintenance Bills Mailed -
now its time for the FHGC
Annual Election Meeting
to be held
Thursday,
December 5, 2024
7:30 pm
at the
Community House
15 Borage Place
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The calendar of annual FHGC happenings continues on. In November, the slate of nominees for election to the Board of Directors will be put forth by the FHGC Nominating Committee; this is followed by the election of new board members in December at the FHGC Annual Election Meeting. Be on the lookout for additional communications regarding both. Check your mailboxes - both virtual and physical - since information will be disseminated in both manners.
The Annual Election Meeting of the FHGC will take place on Thursday, December 5th at the Community House, 15 Borage Place, at 7:30 pm. The purpose of the meeting is the election of Directors; the related mailer will provide the bios of all the candidates put forth by the Nominating Committee. Additionally, the various FHGC committees will provide a summary of this past year's activities. Finally, the list of property owners in arrears - those owing Community Maintenance charges - will be provided as outlined by the Gardens bylaws. Watch your mailboxes!
Have questions for the Directors? Questions may be sent to the FHGC office (info@fhgc.org). After these written questions are answered at the meeting, the floor will be opened to the members for further questions.
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Upcoming Community Events:
-Forest Hills Gardens Tree Trimming (various dates possible this month)
-FHG Foundation Early Gardens History talk: Saturday, November 9, 2024
-WCoFH Annual Philanthropic Luncheon: Monday, November 11, 2024
-Interfaith Thanksgiving Service: Sunday, November 24, 2024
-Celebrations Association Bow-Assembly Session: Tuesday, December 3, 2024
-FHGC Annual Election Meeting: Thursday, December 5, 2024
-Celebrations Association Boughs, Bows & Toys: Saturday, December 7, 2024
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Forest Hills Gardens Communication Committee:
Fouad Beydoun (co-chair), Christine O'Brien Beydoun (co-chair),
Wendy Bachman, Courtney Evangelista, Jennifer Meier, Steve Silberberg,
Mona Tata, Catherine Wigdor
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